Nigerian flavours
Reviews consistently praise authentic Nigerian cooking, including jollof rice, Egusi, stews, cow tail and seafood Okra soup.
Calabar Aroma Restaurant Dubai
DIFC
Calabar Aroma is an African restaurant in DIFC serving Nigerian favourites such as jollof rice, Afang soup and Poundo. Reviews describe it as a place for a proper meal as well as a relaxed evening with music, drinks and shisha.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
264 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Generous portions
Several diners describe the portions as generous or substantial, including a review calling the Nigerian meal portions “mighty great.”
Relaxed evenings
The atmosphere suits after-work meals and casual nights out, with African music, cocktails, mocktails and a lively setting.
Shisha option
Customers specifically mention shisha as part of the evening experience, alongside dinner, drinks and a relaxed atmosphere.
DIFC access
One review describes the restaurant as close to the metro, while others highlight its convenient DIFC location.
Delivery quality
When delivery works smoothly, customers report food arriving hot, on time and in good quantity.
What to Eat at Calabar Aroma Restaurant Dubai How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Calabar Aroma Restaurant Dubai, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Calabar Aroma Restaurant Dubai got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Jollof rice Net +2
“The atmosphere was relaxing, and the food was delicious, especially the jollof rice and grilled meats.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The atmosphere was relaxing, and the food was delicious, especially the jollof rice and grilled meats.”December 2024
“The Jollof rice and Egusi soup were delicious, and the service was excellent.”January 2025
Honorable mentions (10)
-
Afang Net +1
“The Afang was so yummy, had enough assorted meat, delivery was on time, quantity was on point! Totally enjoyed it ✅”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The Afang was so yummy, had enough assorted meat, delivery was on time, quantity was on point! Totally enjoyed it ✅”December 2022
“I had Afang Soup and Poundo and it was hot, nice and delicious.”July 2025
-
Bushman rice Net +1
“I enjoyed the Bushman rice and the seafood Okra soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I enjoyed the Bushman rice and the seafood Okra soup.”July 2022
-
Calabar aroma special fruit salad Net +1
“The Calabar Aroma special fruit salad was enjoyable as well..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Calabar Aroma special fruit salad was enjoyable as well..”July 2022
-
Chicken wings Net +1
“dont forget to try their chicken wings 🥰”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“dont forget to try their chicken wings 🥰”October 2024
-
Cow tail Net +1
“Their stews and cow tail are mad!!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their stews and cow tail are mad!!!”January 2026
-
Edikang ikong Net +1
“EDIKANG Ikong here is fresher and sweeter than Afang.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“EDIKANG Ikong here is fresher and sweeter than Afang.”January 2026
-
Egusi soup Net +1
“The Jollof rice and Egusi soup were delicious, and the service was excellent.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Jollof rice and Egusi soup were delicious, and the service was excellent.”January 2025
-
Poundo Net +1
“I had Afang Soup and Poundo and it was hot, nice and delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had Afang Soup and Poundo and it was hot, nice and delicious.”July 2025
-
Red stew with chicken and white rice Net +1
“I had the red stew with chicken and white rice which had a beautiful balance of spice and flavour.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the red stew with chicken and white rice which had a beautiful balance of spice and flavour.”January 2025
-
Seafood okra soup Net +1
“I enjoyed the Bushman rice and the seafood Okra soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I enjoyed the Bushman rice and the seafood Okra soup.”July 2022
Drinks 2
-
Fresh orange juice Net +1
“I enjoy the meal and fresh orange juice as well. Magnificent”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I enjoy the meal and fresh orange juice as well. Magnificent”November 2024
-
Mojito Net +1
“The mojito was very good 😊”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The mojito was very good 😊”December 2024
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
-
Dodo Net −1
“I once got dodo over fried in oil and complained about it. I was refunded on my next visit, by the Manager .”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I once got dodo over fried in oil and complained about it. I was refunded on my next visit, by the Manager .”January 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Check prices. Ask for drink and shisha prices before ordering, as one review reported being charged 4500 AED for allegedly served top-shelf drinks.
Allow time. For delivery, order early rather than when hungry: one customer specifically complained about late delivery times.
Ask about spice. If you prefer mild food, ask what can be prepared with less spice because a reviewer found few non-spicy options.
Expect music. Choose another venue if you need a quiet meal; the background music was specifically described as a little loud.
Consider smoking. Indoor nicotine smoking is allowed, so check the seating situation if smoke bothers you.
Try classics. First-time diners could start with Afang Soup and Poundo, a combination one reviewer found hot, nice and delicious.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Emirates Financial Towers
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Billing concerns
Several reviews allege unexpectedly high bills or drinks being served without clear agreement; check every order and price before paying.
Delivery delays
A review says delivery times can be late, and another describes WhatsApp and online ordering as difficult to use.
Indoor smoking
Nicotine smoking is allowed indoors, which one diner found uncomfortable.
Loud music
The music contributes to the atmosphere but was described as too loud by one diner.
Limited mild dishes
One visitor felt there were not enough non-spicy options on the menu.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
about 550 dirhams
food for three people
“Also the food for three people came out to be about 550 dirhams”Google review · August 2022
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Calabar Aroma is an African restaurant in DIFC with a strong Nigerian focus. You can come for dishes such as jollof rice, Afang Soup, Poundo, Egusi soup and grilled meats, then stay for African music, cocktails or shisha. The food is the main draw: reviews describe authentic flavours, generous portions and, in one case, Afang with plenty of assorted meat.
The setting leans towards a social evening rather than a quiet restaurant meal. Customers mention a relaxed atmosphere, Afrobeats, cocktails, mocktails, karaoke and even a billiard table. Its DIFC location is described as convenient and close to the metro, making it workable for an after-work meal or drinks.
There are a few practical cautions. Delivery experiences are mixed: some diners received hot food on time, while others reported late deliveries and poor responses through WhatsApp or online ordering. Indoor nicotine smoking and occasionally loud music may also matter if you are sensitive to either.
Most importantly, several reviews allege unexpectedly high bills involving drinks and shisha, so confirm prices and what has been ordered before settling the bill. If you prefer mild food, ask about non-spicy options in advance.